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(The Who Was Who listing is broken down into sections, in alphabetical order by surname - please click on the appropriate letter above to visit that section of the listing.) 

B

BACON, Sir Edward Denny 1860-1938. Son of Edward Bacon, Ilford Hall, Essex. President RPSL 1917. Inaugurated Expert Committee in 1893. Crawford Medal 1921, for ‘The Line-Engraved Postage Stamps of Great Britain’ [1920 (Supp.1929)]. Tapling Medal, 1933, for paper on 1d and 6d stamps of Victoria 1860-66. Catalogued Philatelic Library of the Earl of Crawford, 1911 (Supps.1926 & 1938). Wrote ‘The Stamp Collector’ (with William John Hardy) 1898. With FJHS Napier, ‘St. Vincent’ [1895], ‘Barbados’ [1896], ‘Grenada’ [1902]. ‘Reprints of Postal Adhesive Stamps and their Characteristics’ [1899]. ‘The Postage Stamps of the Turks Islands’ [1917]. Compiled supplements, 1922 and 1927, to ‘The Postage and Telegraph Stamps of British India’ [1907]. The following papers by him were reprinted from the London Philatelist: ‘The Stamps of the Straits Settlements of Queen Victoria’s Reign’ [1924], ‘Mr Charles Lathrop Pack’s Work on Victoria’ [1934], ‘Notes on the Stamps of the Fiji Islands’ [1927], ‘The Stamps of the Pacific Steam Navigation Co.’ [1928], ‘The Half-Anna Lithographed Stamps of India 1854-55’ (Review) [1930], ‘Supplement to Handbook on St Vincent' [1934]. Arranged Tapling Collection in British Museum, his collection of postcards being joined with those of Tapling. Had fine collection of Japan. Appointed Curator of Royal Philatelic Collection, 1913. Lindenberg Medal, 1906. RDP 1921. MVO 1917, CVO 1922, KCVO 1932. Tapling Collection now at the British Library.

BAGNALL, Col Charles Lane DSO MC TD 1884-1937. Forgemaster and engineer. Specialist in Ukraine and Papua, receiving international awards for the latter. Co-Secretary with RW Wilkinson of Philatelic Exhibition, Newcastle 1909. Member of Permanent Executive Committee PCGB and Hon Secretary PCGB, Newcastle 1920. President North of England P.S.

BALDWIN, Norman Cecil 1890-1975. Company director. Specialised in airmails, and stamps with ecclesiastical designs. Wrote manual on South West Africa, ‘Abyssinia 1929-31’, ‘Air Mails of British Africa 1925-32’, ‘Malaya - Check List of Air Mail Flights’, ‘British Airmails 1946-51’, ‘Bridging the Atlantic’ [1946], ‘Post-War Bridging the Atlantic 1945-50’, ‘Great Britain and Ireland Catalogue of Internal Airmails 1910-41’, and compiled ‘Imperial Airways - A History and Priced Check List of the Empire Air Mails’ [1950]. Co-author with Francis J Field of ‘The Coronation Aerial Post 1911’ [1934].

BARFOOT, John Arthur Allen d.1942 age 81. Received international awards for his collections of Russia. President Leicester P.S. 1918-19. President Cinque Ports P.S. 1924-26.

BARKER, Bernard Leslie 1913-1976. A leading collector of stamps and postal history material of Belgium. Gained international awards from 1949. Gave display, on invitation of Stanley Gibbons Ltd, at their Centenary Exhibition in 1956. Member of the Académie de Philatélie de Belgique. President Lincoln P.S. and Belgian Study Circle. Chairman of Council, PCGB, and author of the parody on the Congress ‘All us through the Magnifying Glass’. RDP 1969. Major part of his collection auctioned by HR Harmer Ltd 1977.

BARRON, John Hall d.1951 age 77. Barrister and parliamentary draftsman. Council Member RPSL, 1917, President 1940-46. Collector of South and Central America, particularly Mexico, Colombia, and Paraguay. Contributor to London Philatelist, Stamp Lover, and Philatelic Journal of Great Britain. Edited, with IJ Simons, JB Seymour’s ‘The Stamps of Great Britain’, Part I [1934] and Part II [1937].

BASDEN, Albert Edward b. in Reading. d. in Durban 1948. Went to South Africa 1901. MBE 1918. Edited South African Philatelist 1932-34, and ‘Transactions of the Pretoria P.S.’, of which he was President. Joint compiler with L Simenhoff of the 'Standard Priced Catalogue of the Postage Stamps of the Union of South Africa’. Wrote extensively on the South African Provinces, and was co-author, with JH Curle, of ‘Transvaal Postage Stamps’ [1940] that received the Crawford Medal. RDP (South Africa).

BATES, Lt Col Arthur Sydney DSO TD 1879-1958. Educated Winchester. Awarded the first Tilleard Medal [1920] for his display of pre-1840 essays of Great Britain. Donated the Bates Prize to be awarded at PCGB. His paper ‘Essays, Proofs, etc. for the Georgian Issues of Great Britain’ was reprinted from the London Philatelist in 1922. His Great Britain collection was auctioned by HR Harmer Ltd in 1934.

BEAUMONT, Kenneth Macdonald CBE DSO 1884-1965. Solicitor. Specialised in Great Britain, Cape of Good Hope, New Zealand, and North Borneo. Researched Great Britain Edward VII and George V plates and printings, and New Zealand pre-stamp and manuscript cancellations. Tapling Medal 1947 for ‘Great Britain, Surface-printed Issues 1855-82, Imprimatur Sheets and Abnormals’. Co-author with JBM Stanton of ‘The Postage Stamps of Great Britain Part IV, the Issues of King George V’ [1957]. Edited with John Easton, revised edition of ‘The Postage Stamps of Great Britain Part III’ [1964]. President RPSL 1953-56. First President Great Britain P.S. International judge. RDP 1955. Represented England in figure-skating, and was President of National Skating Association of Great Britain.

BECKTON, Walter Dorning d.1931 age 65. Solicitor. President RPSL 1929-31. President Manchester P.S. for thirty-five years. Chairman of first PCGB Manchester 1909. Vice-President IPU (International Philatelic Union). Awarded medals for Greece, Straits Settlements, Japan, British West Indies, and Romania. Wrote, with GB Duerst, handbook on Greece [1897], and articles in Philatelic Journal of Great Britain on Romania. Won Congress Cup at PCGB 1928 for his Paper ‘Philatelic Nomenclature as applicable to Lithographed Postage Stamps’. His articles, as follows, were reprinted from the London Philatelist: ‘British Honduras - The Local Surcharges of January 1888’ [1925]. ‘Carlist Spain - A Further Note on the Reprints’ [1927]. ‘Italy - The 15 Centesimi of May 1863’ [1928]. ‘The Carlist Stamps of Spain’ [1936]. Lindenberg Medal 1931. RDP 1921.

BELLAMY, Frank Arthur FRAS 1864-1936. Educated Magdalen College School, Oxford. At Radcliffe Observatory 1881-90, and later at University Observatory. Hon Secretary & Treasurer Oxford P.S. for nearly fifty years. Author of ‘Oxford and Cambridge College Messengers Postage Stamps, Cards, and Envelopes 1871-86’ [1921], and ‘A Concise Register of the College Messenger Postage Stamps, Envelopes, and Cards used in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge 1871-95, together with the stamps used by the Oxford Union Society 1859-85’ [1925]. Possessed a philatelic library of more than 200,000 items relating to Great Britain. Judge of philatelic literature at London Philatelic Exhibition 1897. Author, with JJ Darlow, of 'History of the PCGB 1909-12’.

BELLARS, Henry John d.1868 age 44. Schoolmaster. Secretary Chester Natural History Society. Photographic artist in London. Author of an Illustrated Catalogue of British land and freshwater shells, and a Historical Numismatic Atlas of the Roman Emperors. Compiled, with JH Davie, ‘The Standard Guide to Postage Stamp Collecting’ London [1864].

BENJAMIN, Alfred. Partner in the 1880s with Frederick Bannister, as stamp dealers of doubtful reputation in London. In 1888, Benjamin and JH Sarpy opened a shop in Cullum Street, where they marketed fakes and forgeries, mostly provided by the engraver GK Jeffryes. The three became known as ‘The London Gang’, and were reported to the police by The Philatelic Protection Association. They appeared at the Thames Police Court in 1892 on charges of forging stamps and of conspiracy. Benjamin, then aged 29, was sentenced to 6 months hard labour. He and Sarpy were still trading in Cullum Street in the 1920s.

BENTLEY, Rev Wilfred 1915-1965. Main interests were France (postal history), Guatemala (1902 issue, and later Waterlow-printed stamps), Great Britain (especially numbered cancellations), and Sweden. Collaborated with CWE Coles in study of transfer-roller flaws in France 1931 2fr ‘Arc de Triomphe’. Author of ‘France - Postal History and Postmarks of the Franco-Prussian war and after, 1870-71’ [1955]. Joint author with Pierre de Lizeray of ‘Les Mouchon - Le Classement Des Pasteur’ [1955], and with RM and RW Willcocks, of ‘The Spoon Experiment 1853-58’. Editor of France & Colonies P.S. Newsletter from 1951. Demonstrated the mistakes made by Sperati in faking French covers. President Birmingham P.S. Was in the process of publishing ‘An Introduction to Postal History, Postage Stamps, and Postmarks of France 1849-76’ at the time of his death in a motor accident.

BERNSTEIN, Isidore Julius 1871-1939. Educated City of London School. Active in founding the first PCGB, Manchester 1909, for which he obtained special postmark from Postmaster-General. His services recognised by a testimonial presented at PCGB, London 1910. Specialist in Great Britain. Wrote, with Charles Nissen, Handbook on the Official Stamps of Great Britain [1906] and series of articles on ‘British Used Abroad’. Founder and President Manchester Junior P.S.

BESSEMER, Henry William 1866-1956. Held especially fine collection of France, being particularly interested in tête-bêche, and Bordeaux and Semeuse issues. Contributor to London Philatelist, and awarded Tilleard Medal 1939. Displayed ‘hors concours’ at London International Exhibition 1950. RDP 1950.

BIRCH, James Alfred 1888-1969. Director of corn-milling company. From 1937 received international awards for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Danish West Indies, Greenland, and Faroe Islands. Contributed to numerous journals on Scandinavian topics. Given Medal of Honour by Copenhagen Philatelic Club for distinguished work in Danish philately. President Liverpool P.S. and Merseyside P.S. President of North-West Federation of Philatelic Societies. RDP 1960.

BISHOP, George Thompson CMG Surgeon-Captain RN. 1865-1935. Hon Secretary IPU (International Philatelic Union) 1885. Hong Kong specialist. Co-author with Rev CS Morton and W Sayers, of ‘Hong Kong - Treaty Port and other Postmarks’ [1934], (revised by Lobdell and Hopkins, 1949).

BISHOP, Percy Cooke 1869-1961. Newspaper reporter and journalist. Managing editor, Aldine Publishing Co Ltd. While editing ‘Chums’ organised the Chums Society of Stamp Collectors. Collected Brazil, Morocco, New Zealand, Great Britain, Mauritius, and South Africa. Published Philatelic Exchange List, 1886. Edited Philatelic Journal of Great Britain 1892-93. Founded and conducted, with Charles Nissen, Stamp Collectors’ Annual 1904-11. Founded Stamp Collectors’ Fortnightly in 1894 with Harry Hilckes, and was editor until 1913. Stamp editor of The Captain, a boys’ magazine. Edited Stamp Collectors’ Monthly Circular 1919-20. Went to South Africa in 1920 as editor of the Natal Advertiser, and held that post until 1939. Presented PC Bishop Trophy to Philatelic Federation of South Africa, of which he was President. Returned to England, and resided in Eastbourne. Instrumental in establishment of the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. RDP 1921.

BLOCKEY, George 1874-1939. b. in London. Stamp dealer in Australia, and for some while responsible for South Australia in Gibbons’ catalogue. Read a paper before the Manchester P.S. in 1890 in which the two dies of the third issue of Holland were first indicated. Also interested in Orange River Colony and was one of the original names on the South African Philatelic Roll of Honour. Judge at South African Philatelic Exhibition, Durban 1913. Wrote ‘The Departmental Stamps of South Australia’ [1935]. Died in Pretoria.

BOJANOWICZ, Miroslav Arthur 1907-1986. Settled in England after WW II. Prior to war collected Bosnia and Herzegovina, later enlarged to comprise Yugoslavia, which won Gold Medal in Warsaw, 1936. In England he specialised in Poland No.1 and had many awards for his ‘Kingdom of Poland’ including Grand Prix at Budapest International 1961. Recognised as expert on that country, he published ‘The Kingdom of Poland - Poland No.1 and Associated Postal History’ [1979]. Frequently served as judge at international exhibitions. Congress Medal 1957. RDP 1966. Presented a collection of Polish postal history 1938-49 to British Museum in 1966 (now at British Library).

BOOTY, Frederick William 1841-1924. Artist in Brighton. Contributor to the Monthly Advertiser (Edward Moore & Co) 1862. Compiler of ‘Aids to Stamp Collectors - being a List of English and Foreign Stamps in Circulation since 1840’, published in April 1862 and based on lists previously issued in Belgium and France. Revised, and illustrated, later in the same year as The Stamp Collectors’ Guide, so becoming the world’s first illustrated stamp catalogue.

BORNEFIELD, John Julius d.1937 age 83. Hon Secretary British Line Engraved Stamp Club. Wrote the first detailed exposition of the four alphabets of check letters, in the Stamp Collectors’ Fortnightly [1908]. Later a Queensland specialist.

BOUCHER, George Herbert d.1970 age 94. Solicitor. General collector of early Great Britain and colonial imperfs, particularly New South Wales ‘Sydney Views’. In 1935 he gave a display of Great Britain and thirty-three colonies to RPSL, saying “My display will teach you nothing”, and that he collected purely for amusement and relaxation. However, in the opinion of those present it was one of the best displays of the season. President Bristol P.S. His collection of New South Wales sold by auction in 1949.

BRADBURY, Louis Edward d.1950 age 87. Hon Treasurer RPSL 1927-41. Hon Life Fellow. Specialist in Bahamas and Nevis. Tilleard Medal for Bahamas in 1921. His research into Nevis resulted in discovery of the original printing plates. Edited Bahamas in Regent Stamp Catalogue, published by Robson Lowe. Bequeathed Bahamas collection to RPSL. RDP 1929.

BROWN, Mount 1837-1919. Educated City of London School. Issued ‘Catalogue of British, Colonial, and Foreign Postage Stamps’ [May 1862] based on the collection of Rev Francis John Stainforth. It was the first catalogue published in England, and there were five editions within two years. An original member of RPSL. Member of Jubilee Committee of London International Stamp Exhibition 1912.

BROWN, Samuel Arnold Steer 1876-1958. Insurance manager. Specialised in Gambia, Western Australia, and Virgin Is for which he received international awards, and Tilleard Medal for Western Australia in 1941. Also collected Newfoundland. Wrote monograph on ‘St Vincent’ [1917] (Stamp Collecting Handbook No.8).

BROWN, William 1864-1927. Dealer. Founder and first publisher of Philatelic Journal of Great Britain. Author of ‘The Stamps of the Straits Settlements surcharged for use in the Protected States’ [1895].

BRUMELL, George d.1950 age 73. Authority on Great Britain postmarks. Wrote ‘Postmarks of the British Isles’ [1930], ‘A Short Account of the Franking System in the Post Office 1652-1840’ [1936], ‘Slogan Postmarks of Great Britain’ [1938], ‘The Local Posts of London 1680-1840’ [1938], ‘The Postal History of Bournemouth’ (in PCGB Year Book 1940), ‘British Post Office Numbers 1844-1906’ [1947].

BUHL, Theodore A. d.1922 age 57. Dealer from 1882. Started publication of Stamp News, which he edited until 1895. Purchased in 1892 the stock and business of Pemberton, Wilson & Co (London), with copyright of the Philatelic Record (see EL Pemberton), which was later merged with Stamp News. Held auctions of rare stamps.

BULL, Thomas 1839-1905. Property editor of the Standard and the Financial Times. Partner in Ventom, Bull, and Cooper philatelic auctioneers. He was one of the pioneers of regular stamp auctions in London. Organised his first auction with Douglas Garth, which took place on 24th November 1888 at Moss & Jameson’s rooms in Chancery Lane.

BURD, Lawrence Arthur 1863-1931. Schoolmaster at Repton. Great Britain specialist. Had extensive collection of pre-adhesive material. Also possessed 8000 Penny Blacks, later sold by Charles Nissen. RDP 1924.

BURNETT, Maitland James JP 1844-1918. Hon Secretary and Treasurer RPSL 1879-86. Edited Philatelic Record 1879-86. On moving to the Continent in 1885, sold his collection to Pemberton, Wilson & Co, from which many early rarities passed to TK Tapling. Died in Rome.

BYAM, Dr William OBE 1882-1963. Lt Col RAMC. Egypt specialist. Council Member RPSL. Tapling Medal, 1931, for Egypt first issue of 1866. Tilleard Medal, 1956, for Egypt third issue. Also received international awards. Founded Egypt Study Circle, 1935, and served as Chairman. President Herts P.S., and a ‘Member of Honour’ of the Societé Philatélique de’Egypte. His notes on Egypt third issue, 1872 and 1874-75, were reprinted from the London Philatelist. He also had collections of Malta and Cyprus, which were auctioned by Plumridge & Co in 1928. RDP 1949.

A B C D E F G H IJK L M NO P Q R S TU VWXYZ
(The Who Was Who listing is broken down into sections, in alphabetical order by surname - please click on the appropriate letter above to visit that section of the listing.)